
The team of researchers and professors from CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Aveiro (UA), composed of Matheus Pereira, Ana Catarina Sousa, João Coutinho, and Mara Freire, has developed an ionic liquid-based technology that enables the simultaneous extraction, purification, and concentration of a prostate cancer biomarker (prostate-specific antigen, PSA) from urine samples.
This biomarker is currently used to monitor this cancer and other prostate-related diseases through blood samples, which is an invasive method. The efficient and early diagnosis of this type of cancer makes it possible to reduce the costs associated with what is the second most common type of cancer in men.
“The detection of tumor biomarkers in urine samples avoids the use and collection of more invasive samples, such as blood or tissue. However, their identification and quantification are hindered by the fact that biomarkers exist in very low concentrations and because biological matrices are always highly complex, requiring prior sample treatment,” explains researcher Mara Freire.
The researcher further highlights the advantages of the results achieved: “The developed technology allows for the extraction, purification, and concentration of PSA from urine, enabling the use of faster and less expensive equipment compared to the immunoassays currently employed. This technology is also capable of extracting other forms of PSA from urine, which can additionally be quantified, paving the way for its use in the differential diagnosis of prostate cancer. Lastly, it is a versatile technology that can be customized by modifying the ionic liquid used, thereby enabling the detection and quantification of other tumor biomarkers for the early diagnosis of other types of cancer.”
This nationally patented technology overcomes one of the main limitations associated with the use of biomarkers: their low concentration in biological fluids and the consequent challenges in their quantification. By concentrating the biomarker, this technique allows for the subsequent quantification of PSA to be carried out using simpler, cheaper analytical techniques that are accessible in less sophisticated laboratories.
The UA, through UACOOPERA, has secured the national patent grant, while the European patent application is still under review at the European Patent Office.
Related Articles
We use cookies for marketing activities and to offer you a better experience. By clicking “Accept Cookies” you agree with our cookie policy. Read about how we use cookies by clicking "Privacy and Cookie Policy".